88bluebirds88

About Me

I love collecting things (some may say hoarding!), particularly weird or unusual items that you don't see everyday. I also love creating things myself and always have a few projects on the go.
I love being near the countryside and the coast, I also love to travel travel and then maybe travel a little bit more. I've been lucky enough to visit a few beautiful countries but always restless to go away again! I love cold countries, snow and the wilderness.

If i could live outdoors I would, I love the countryside, camping, trekking, mountains, solitude and open spaces. I am interested in environmentalism, sustainable food production, climate science - pretty much everything to do with the natural world and earth sciences.
I read a lot, and love browsing second hand book shops.

I like art and illustrations, handmade, prints of illustrations from books, screen printing and papercuts.
I collect 2nd hand books with notes or inscriptions on the inside cover.

I am obsessed with the Arctic regions, the northern lights, and Norse/ Viking mythology.
Although I am not religious, I love religious items and art, particularly from Buddhism and Hinduism.

I am happy to receive anything and am interested to see what you like!- although.... my preferences are blues, greens, greys, purples, not a fan of bright pink, yellow or neon or anything too plasticy, glittery or sparkly, i also don't have any use for kawaii items. I love natural things, wood, metals and stone, craft materials. I prefer old or repurposed items to new, reusable to disposable and natural to synthetic.

Wishlist

Foreign coins (except Euros as i have a lot of these already!) I have recently started collecting the US quarters with different states on- so would love those! I can send you a list of the states I already have if you were thinking of sending these

Traditional items from your where you live with a little explanation- including tea and snacks (no meat/dairy please!!)

Anything Moomin related :)

Postcards - especially mountains, natural scenes, art & illustration, b&w photography, or nice images of where you live. Please write something on them and send naked & stamped where possible :) I also love used vintage used postcards

If you are my partner for a book swap, I have a link to a wish list at the top of the page which should help with ideas and give a bit of a hint into the type of books I like, I am also more than happy to see what you would recommend for me though so in no way should you feel obliged to pick something from the list!

Favorite Music

Again so so many!
Emiliana Torrini, the tallest man on earth, Laura Marling, first aid kit, the beatles, John Martyn, Joan Baez, Willy Mason, idiot wind, Beirut, Bjork, Cat Power,Sigur Ros, the Fleet Foxes, Frightened Rabbit, Nick Cave & the bad seeds....
i love folk music, acoustic music, some indie & some dance... it's all good really! I have recently started listening to more and more classical music and really enjoying- I would love your suggestions if you are a classical fan!

Favorite Crafts

I will have a go at anything, but particularly enjoy cross stitch/ embroidery, crochet, pottery and origami. I have also recently begun some larger scale "home building" projects such as coat hooks, bookends... and other upcycling ideas. I recently finished a course in silver jewelry making which was great fun (got to play with fire!), and i am hoping to continue this once i can build up a better set of tools and materials.

Food & Tea

I love trying new food and drink, especially things specific to your country.I particularly like natural, organic food items without artificial colours/ ingredients- but this is just a preference i will try anything! And in sweet swaps etc.. could be hard to find!
I am vegetarian so please don't send any meat products (including sweets with gelatin...). I am also trying to eat less dairy, so would love to try your favourite vegan snacks!

I love to try unusual teas and like pretty much everything! My favourites are green teas, spiced black tea and herbal, but happy to receive anything. I am not so keen on berry/ sweet fruity teas, but if you have one that you particularly enjoy i would be happy to try it- maybe i just haven't found the right one yet!

Swapping

If you do not receive something from me, please contact before rating, I am always more than happy to resend!

Ratings

Comment: First at all: I LOVE YOU!!! HAHAHA
I got the package today and i saw the most incredible thing in the whole world "WALKERS" and i cried and i ate while i was crying.
I love everything that you send me... the present, the cream, biscuits and walkers!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Comment: Today was a rough day. Somehow your package managed to come on the perfect day. I am so thankful for you lovely letter and goodies that are so feel good. Thank you for sending so much light and encouragement in one package! <3 I am thankful for you being up for the swap. Your package brought a HUGE smile to my face and reminded me of the goodness and bliss in the world. :) Thanks again for everything and the time you put into the swap, I really appreciate it :) <3

Response: I'm so glad it arrived ok, and at perfect timing by the sounds of it! Thank you for the lovely rating, and for coming up with a great swap idea! Keep smiling :) We should definitely do another swap in the future, you are really fun to think of ideas for! x

Comment: I got your resend at last! Thank you so much. I especially love the fabric... I can't really sow but I still love beautiful fabric and finding things to do with it! (And also loved the way you packaged it... swap-bot is turning me into an obsessive :) )

Comment: Thank you for the most lovely package, Natalie! I'm so excited to read the book, I've never seen it before. :) I love stories on different mythical beasties! The wrapping was so pretty and the sweet sticky notes are a great bonus! Thanks again! xx

Comment: Wow, Natalie. This is one of the most thoughtful pieces of mail I've ever received. I feel like you've known me for years. I don't think any of my actual real friends can top how much effort and detail you put into everything. I'm in absolute awe. I can't wait to use everything. The cacti notebook has already been put to use as school just began:) The fox earrings are on my ears now. Just everything.. Thank you so so much for thinking of me and preparing such an awesome parcel to receive. I hope you enjoy my end of the swap just the same and I can't wait to do this again! ♥

Comment: â¤ â¤ â¤ â¤ â¤ I'M IN LOVE â¤ â¤ â¤ â¤ â¤
Thank you so so much Natalie, this is one of the most beautiful packages I ever got! I love the stickers, stamps, washi and the postcards- OMG the postcards!!! and it is all wrapped so beautifully I felt like it's my birthday (: I can't possibly thank you enough, so I'll just let you know you really made my whole week (and it's a pretty difficult one...) .
Love, Karin

Comment: Thank you SO much for this swap Natalie and for resending! I love everything and can't wait to try out my new vegan goodies! Please please let me know if you'd like to do a private swap with me! <3<3

Comment: Gosh, what a surprise! I had no idea I was your partner again! You must be quite bored of sending to me by now!
Everything was beautiful as usual, and wrapped in such pretty Alice paper. I'm going to read the book next, and drink the tea right away (it made the letter smell so nice!) and the letter set and everything else is so lovely. You always send such perfect things!
I'll reply to your letter soon! xo

Comment: Thank you very much! I opened the one with the earrings today, they're so pretty :) Thank you for all the happy things! And extra thanks for the bear postcard, I'm going to put it on the wall above my desk among my other favourites.

Comment: Natalie, thank you so much for such a fun, inspirational swap! I'm really into botany/maps so everything was right up my alley, I actually haven't read The Waves, so I'm currently finishing up my book to start on that one. The chocolate is nearly gone and I love the tote and pen cup! So neat. Thank you for everything and for joining:) Hope you had a great Earth Day ♥

Comment: Thank you Natalie for such a wonderful artistic tribute. I am so impressed with your embroidery. I will be putting ithe up in my office at work on Monday. And yes, the improvised packaging worked - no damages. Thank you!

thank you so much for angelling the Vegan Christmas swap for me. I received a wonderful package with sweet surprises. I immediately adopted the little fox and will always treasure her :-) I love that you chose a theme (foxes) to embelish everything. The recipe is great, well, everything is great. I would love to give you countless stars and hearts. Thank you very much.

Natalie! You spoiled me sooo much! Thank you sooo much for angeling this swap!! Finding your gifts was such a surprise and I am stunned by all these personal gifts!! You read my profile very well! I love everything! LUSH and Cath Kidston! Paperchase stickers! A cuuute bunny card and those delish vegan snacks! You deserve a thousand hearts and stars!! Thank you for the smile today!!! You rock!